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The village raises a child

Rites of Passage program forms a community family for youth

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2001

By Mary Jessica HammesFeatures writer

A circle of empty metal folding chairs dominates the interior of the Bethel Homes' community room. Slowly, six African-American middle and high schoolers file through an opening in the circle and take their seats. They are joined by Barbara Barnett, who, at 50, assumes the position of mother figure to her companions -- and in a way, although she isn't related by blood, she is mother to all the young adults in the ring.

''We believe in the African proverb that it takes an entire village to raise a child,'' Rites of Passage director Barnett says. ''This is just like a family. If someone's mom isn't here right now, I'm the mom.''

Barnett must be quite a mom. The mother of two and grandmother of two -- and parent to countless surrogate children through her work in the community -- recently received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Relations Award from the Athens Human Relations Council for her work with Rites of Passage as well as Project SAFE.

It's something that runs in the family, she says; her brother, the Rev. James Barnett, founded the anti-drug, Charlotte, N.C.-based Crusade organization. Their mother, Jessie Barnett, helped integrate Athens' YMCA and YWCO and was also the first president of Clarke Community Federal Credit Union.

Rites of Passage director Barbara Barnett, checking her new e-mail account acquired through the group's computer sessions, assumes a motherlike role in the program. ''This is just like a family,'' she says. ''If someone's mom isn't here right now, I'm the mom.''Jeff Blake/Staff

''The acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree,'' Barnett says.

Rites of Passage, a national program established in the late 1980s, came to Athens around 1994, says Barnett. Through the program, young adults meet regularly to discuss and learn about conflict resolution, heritage, free enterprise and teen sexuality -- particularly teen pregnancy prevention. It's a program designed for young African-Americans living on the brink of responsible adulthood, she adds, designed to instill the kind of self-respect and leadership ultimately recycled into the community.

In fact, the circle of chairs is referred to as a ''community.'' There is an exact way to enter -- through that break in the line of chairs -- and a sense of maturity demanded.

''It's their community. They really stress you enter this community with respect,'' says Barnett. ''They resolve their own issues and conflicts right here within this community.''

For instance, when one of the two young men argue and engage in a little pushing during a break in the meeting, they are called to stand in the middle of the circle to make amends. Barnett leaves the proper discipline to be ruled by the rest of the young adults. Together, the Rites of Passage members decide a verbal contract is in order as well as a ''four strikes'' policy. The two young men shake hands, and then the group watches videos of their past step show performances -- the group has performed these dances at various churches, parties and local events.

Rites of Passage is looking for volunteers. To learn how to become involved, call (706) 340-0598.

Rites of Passage participants say they feel the difference the program has made in their lives. During a recent Sunday computer session in a room of First Presbyterian Church, Rites of Passage participants -- including Barnett -- are eagerly checking ther new e-mail accounts for the first time. While Charlie Monroe of Youth Entrepreneur Services Inc., prepares to deliver a presentation on financial responsibility and business smarts, Shaddrick Dozier, 16, recalls life before Rites of Passage.

''I couldn't be around too many folks, because I'd be getting into fights with somebody,'' he says. He also had his share of being bullied, he adds, and also of ''getting jumped.'' He was placed in a behavioral disorder class in middle school.

Today, Dozier runs track and plays basketball at Clarke Central High School, and plans to play football next year. His grades are different, too: ''Now I'm getting A's and B's. I don't see C's that much.''

''Shaddrick is doing really good,'' Barnett adds, and Dozier barely suppresses a grin at his computer station. ''Now he's a young, responsible man, and we can talk to each other.'' Dozier's younger brothers Sean, 14, and Octavious, 9, also are involved with the program, as is his cousin, Deshun Watkins, 14.

Gilda Tucker beams as she talks of her niece, Teresa Smith, 16, who Tucker has raised as her own daughter. Like many other parents, Tucker is active in supporting the Rites of Passage program, attending meetings and volunteering time. Smith has been in Rites of Passage a little more than a year.

''Before, all she did was stay in her room, playing the Casio, and wouldn't even come out,'' Tucker says.

Smith has since shed some of her shyness. She sings in her church choir now and maintains high grades at school. When Smith was underpaid for a recent catering job, she confronted her employer and was paid the right amount, demonstrating a level of self-assertion gained from the program, Tucker says.

Lula Butler's son, Brandon Butler, who is now 17, started attending the Rites of Passage program when he was 11 years old. ''It changed his life,'' Butler says. ''It made him start thinking positive things about himself. It made him less aggressive. It made him feel like he was somebody.''

Ten Rites of Passage members are preparing for a ''First Rites Ceremony'' in May, an induction available to those involved in Rites of Passage for at least a year. ''First Rites'' initiates must earn points by doing a number of things, including writing a 700-1,000 word essay on the meaning of responsibility, attending church regularly and completing a group community service project.

There are more requirements on the list, but the ''First Rite'' participants don't seem to be wary. Instead, enthusiasm abounds at each meeting, perhaps most evident in a step show rehearsal. Teresa Smith -- once considered one of the most introverted of the group -- leads the chorus, shouting buoyantly: ''I am young -- and I am positive!''

Features writer Mary Jessica Hammes can be reached at mhammes@onlineathens.com or (706) 208-2305.